This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D7957/D7957M − 17

Standard Specification for

Solid Round Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Bars for
Concrete Reinforcement1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7957/D7957M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers glass fiber reinforced polymer
(GFRP) bars, provided in cut lengths and bent shapes and
having an external surface enhancement for concrete reinforce-
ment. Bars covered by this specification shall meet the require-
ments for geometric, material, mechanical, and physical prop-
erties described herein.
1.2 Bars produced according to this standard are qualified
using the test methods and must meet the requirements given
by Table 1. Quality control and certification of production lots
of bars are completed using the test methods and must meet the
requirements given in Table 2.
1.3 The text of this specification references notes and
footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
footnotes (excluding those in tables) shall not be considered as
requirements of the specification.
1.4 The following FRP materials are not covered by this
specification:
1.4.1 Bars made of more than one load-bearing fiber type
(that is, hybrid FRP).
1.4.2 Bars having no external surface enhancement (that is,
plain or smooth bars, or dowels).
1.4.3 Bars with geometries other than solid, round cross
sections.
1.4.4 Pre-manufactured grids and gratings made with FRP
materials.
1.5 This specification is applicable for either SI (as Speci-
fication D7957M) or inch-pound units (as Specification
D7957).
1.6 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
are to be regarded as standard. Within the text, the inch-pound
units are shown in brackets. The values stated in each system
are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used
independently of the other. Combining values from the two
systems may result in nonconformance with the specification.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.10 on
Composites for Civil Structures.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2017. Published August 2017. Originally
approved in 2017. DOI: 10.1520/D7957_D7957M-17.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
A615/A615M Specification for Deformed and Plain Carbon-
Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
C904 Terminology Relating to Chemical-Resistant Nonme-
tallic Materials
D570 Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D2584 Test Method for Ignition Loss of Cured Reinforced
Resins
D3171 Test Methods for Constituent Content of Composite
Materials
D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials
D7205/D7205M Test Method for Tensile Properties of Fiber
Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite Bars
D7617/D7617M Test Method for Transverse Shear Strength
of Fiber-reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite Bars
D7705/D7705M Test Method for Alkali Resistance of Fiber
Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Matrix Composite Bars used
in Concrete Construction
D7913/D7913M Test Method for Bond Strength of Fiber-
Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite Bars to Concrete
by Pullout Testing
D7914/D7914M Test Method for Strength of Fiber Rein-
forced Polymer (FRP) Bent Bars in Bend Locations
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.

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 D7957/D7957M − 17
TABLE 1 Property Limits and Test Methods for QualificationA
Property Limit Test Method
Mean Glass Transition Temperature Midpoint temperature $100 °C [212 °F] ASTM E1356
Mean Degree of Cure $95 % ASTM E2160
Mean Measured Cross-Sectional Area Table 3 ASTM D7205/D7205M, subsection 11.2.5.1
GuaranteedB Ultimate Tensile Force Table 3 ASTM D7205/D7205M
Mean Tensile Modulus of Elasticity $44,800 MPa [6 500 000 psi] ASTM D7205/D7205M
Mean Ultimate Tensile Strain $1.1 % ASTM D7205/D7205M
GuaranteedB Transverse Shear Strength $131 MPa [19 000 psi] ASTM D7617/D7617M
GuaranteedB Bond Strength $7.6 MPa [1100 psi] ASTM D7913/D7913M
Mean Moisture Absorption to Saturation #1.0 % to saturation at 50 °C [122 °F] ASTM D570, subsection 7.4
$80 % of initial mean ultimate tensile force following
Mean Alkaline Resistance ASTM D7705/D7705M, Procedure A
90 days at 60 °C [140 °F]
GuaranteedB Ultimate Tensile Force of Bent Portion $60 % of the values in Table 3 ASTM D7914/D7914M
of Bar
A
For the determination of the mean and guaranteed properties, at least 24 samples shall be obtained in groups of eight or more from three or more different production
lots. The mean and guaranteed properties shall satisfy the limits.
B
Guaranteed property is defined in 3.2.5.

TABLE 2 Property Limits and Test Methods for Quality Control and CertificationA,B
Property Limit Test Method
Fiber Mass Content $70 % ASTM D2584 or ASTM D3171
Glass Transition Temperature Midpoint temperature $100 °C [212 °F] ASTM E1356
Degree of Cure $95 % ASTM E2160
Measured Cross-Sectional Area Table 3 ASTM D7205/D7205M, subsection 11.2.5.1
Ultimate Tensile Force Table 3 ASTM D7205/D7205M
Tensile Modulus of Elasticity $44 800 MPa [6 500 000 psi] ASTM D7205/D7205M
Ultimate Tensile Strain $1.1 % ASTM D7205/D7205M
Moisture Absorption in 24 h #0.25 % in 24 h at 50 °C [122 °F] ASTM D570, subsection 7.4
A
For the determination of each of the property limits, five random samples shall be obtained from each production lot. Each individual sample shall satisfy the property
limits.
B
For bent bars, the tests are performed on the straight portion of the bars.

TABLE 3 Geometric and Mechanical Property Requirements

Measured Cross-Sectional Area Limits Minimum
Bar Nominal Dimensions Guaranteed
mm2 [in.2]
Designation Ultimate
No. Diameter Cross-Sectional Area Tensile Force
Minimum Maximum
mm [in.] mm2 [in.2] kN [kip]
M6 [2] 6.3 [0.250] 32 [0.049] 30 [0.046] 55 [0.085] 27 [6.1]
M10 [3] 9.5 [0.375] 71 [0.11] 67 [0.104] 104 [0.161] 59 [13.2]
M13 [4] 12.7 [0.500] 129 [0.20] 119 [0.185] 169 [0.263] 96 [21.6]
M16 [5] 15.9 [0.625] 199 [0.31] 186 [0.288] 251 [0.388] 130 [29.1]
M19 [6] 19.1 [0.750] 284 [0.44] 268 [0.415] 347 [0.539] 182 [40.9]
M22 [7] 22.2 [0.875] 387 [0.60] 365 [0.565] 460 [0.713] 241 [54.1]
M25 [8] 25.4 [1.000] 510 [0.79] 476 [0.738] 589 [0.913] 297 [66.8]
M29 [9] 28.7 [1.128] 645 [1.00] 603 [0.934] 733 [1.137] 365 [82.0]
M32 [10] 32.3 [1.270] 819 [1.27] 744 [1.154] 894 [1.385] 437 [98.2]

E1356 Test Method for Assignment of the Glass Transition
Temperatures by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
E2160 Test Method for Heat of Reaction of Thermally
Reactive Materials by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 Terminology C904 defines terms relating to chemical-
resistant nonmetallic materials. Terminology D3878 defines
terms relating to high-modulus fibers and their composites.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 bar, n—a straight or bent element with a solid, round
cross section in the straight portion, having surface enhance-
ment that intends to provide mechanical interlock with con-
crete.
3.2.2 bend angle, n—the intentional deviation of a portion
of a bar from the main axis of the bar, measured in degrees.
3.2.3 bend diameter, n—the inside diameter of a bent bar, as
provided in Table 4.
3.2.4 commercial grade material, n—a material formulated
for and used in industrial (not consumer) applications.
3.2.5 guaranteed property, n—a characteristic value pro-
vided by the manufacturer less than or equal to the mean minus
three standard deviations of the samples tested according to a
specified method.
3.2.6 mean property, n—a value provided by the manufac-
turer less than or equal to the mean of the samples tested
according to a specified method.

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 D7957/D7957M − 17
TABLE 4 Minimum Inside Bend Diameter of Bent BarsA
Bar Designation, Minimum Bend
mm [U.S. Standard] Diameter mm [in.]
M6 [2] 38 [1.50]
M10 [3] 58 [2.25]
M13 [4] 76 [3.00]
M16 [5] 96 [3.75]
M19 [6] 114 [4.50]
M22 [7] 134 [5.25]
M25 [8] 152 [6.00]
A
Bent bars of designation M29 [9] and M32 [10] are not included in this
specification.
3.2.7 measured cross-sectional area, n—the average cross-
sectional area of a representative bar, including deformations,
lugs, sand coating or any bond-enhancing surface treatment,
measured according to Test Method D7205/D7205M.
3.2.8 nominal bar diameter, n—a standard diameter of a bar,
as described in Table 3.
3.2.9 nominal cross-sectional area, n—a standard cross-
sectional area of a bar, as described in Table 3.
3.2.10 production lot, n—determined by the manufacturer,
as any batch of bar produced from start to finish with the same
constituent materials used in the same proportions without
changing any production parameter, such as cure temperature
or line speed.
3.2.11 size designation, n—an alphanumeric identifier cor-
responding to the bar designation number of Table 3.
3.2.12 surface enhancement, n—protrusions, lugs, sand
coatings, deformations or any additional surface treatment that
provides means of mechanically transmitting force between the
bar and the concrete surrounding the bar in such construction.
3.2.13 test, certification, n—an optional test, specified by
the purchaser, to certify that the material provided for a given
project meets the requirements of the specification.
3.2.14 test, qualification, n—a test completed under the
supervision of the manufacturer to ensure conformance of
material to the requirements of a specification.
3.2.15 test, quality control, n—a test completed on each
production lot of material, under the supervision of the
manufacturer, to ensure that the process of manufacturing the
product remains under control.
4. Ordering Information
4.1 It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify
all requirements that are necessary for material ordered to this
specification. Such requirements shall include:
4.1.1 Name of the FRP material (manufacturer’s
description),
4.1.2 Quantity of each individual bar length,
4.1.3 Bar designation number (size),
4.1.4 Cut length, and
4.1.5 For bent bars, the shape of the bend, the diameter of
the bend, and the length of the legs.
4.1.6 Production lot certification report, if desired.
NOTE 1—Descriptive bar list part numbering can be helpful in commu-
nicating the designer’s intent to the fabricator, supplier, placement of the
reinforcing, procurement, and job site inspection. An example of descrip-
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tive part numbering for GFRP bars is shown in Appendix X1.
5. Constituent Materials and Manufacture
5.1 Reinforcing Fibers—Glass fibers shall be in the form of
continuous unidirectional rovings.
5.2 Matrix Resins:
5.2.1 Vinyl ester thermoset resin systems are permitted,
provided the finished product meets the physical and durability
requirements of this specification.
5.2.2 The base polymer in the resin system should not
contain any polyester.
5.3 Manufacturing Process:
5.3.1 Process or material modifications are not permitted
during the production of a single production lot.
5.3.2 The manufacturer shall document the process used
and report the date(s) of production and quantity of material
produced in the production lot.
5.3.3 The manufacturer shall maintain a documented quality
control plan that details the activities of the process
monitoring, production inspection, and record keeping. The
plan shall be made available to customers upon request.
5.3.3.1 The manufacturer shall use all tests in Table 2 as part
of the quality control process. A record of these quality control
tests shall be kept for each lot of material and shall be made
available to the purchaser upon request. The manufacturer may
use other tests as part of internal quality control processes.
Results from such tests are not required to be reported.
6. Physical Properties
6.1 Fiber Mass Content—The fiber mass content shall be
determined by Test Method D2584 or Test Methods D3171, at
a frequency and number of specimens as indicated in Section
10. The fiber mass content is calculated as the mass of the
longitudinal fibers divided by the mass of the longitudinal
fibers plus resin. Excluded from this calculation are the
materials added to the bar for bond enhancement. The fiber
mass content shall be in accordance with the limit given in
Table 2.
6.2 Glass Transition Temperature—The glass transition
temperature shall be determined using specimens cut from the
as-produced bar, by Test Method E1356, at a frequency and
number of specimens as indicated in Section 10. Test results for
the first temperature scan shall be used to determine the glass
transition temperature. The glass transition temperature shall
be in accordance with the limits given in Tables 1 and 2.
6.3 Degree of Cure—The degree of cure shall be determined
using specimens cut from the as-produced bar, by Test Method
E2160, at a frequency and number of specimens as indicated in
Section 10. The degree of cure shall be in accordance with the
limits given in Tables 1 and 2.
6.4 Bar Sizes:
6.4.1 Bar size and measured cross-sectional area, as de-
scribed below, are established on straight sections of bar.
6.4.2 The size designation of bars meeting this specification
shall be in bar number designations or metric equivalents
consistent with the practice for steel bars as described in
Specification A615/A615M.
 D7957/D7957M − 17
6.4.3 Mechanical properties reported in this specification
are established based on the nominal cross-sectional area as
provided in Table 1.
6.4.4 The measured cross-sectional area of the bar shall be
determined by Test Method D7205/D7205M, subsection
11.2.5.1, based on the method given in Test Methods D792,
and shall be measured on the as-manufactured bar, including
surface enhancements, at a frequency and number of speci-
mens as indicated in Section 10. The measured cross-sectional
area shall be within the minimum and maximum area limits
provided in Tables 1 and 2.
NOTE 2—The “measured” cross-sectional area in this specification is
named the “nominal” cross-sectional area in Test Method D7205/
D7205M–06(2016), subsection 11.2.5.1. The nomenclature in Test
Method D7205/D7205M is outdated and is being revised in conjunction
with the publication of this specification. This note will be removed once
the outdated language is updated in Test Method D7205/D7205M.
7. Mechanical Properties
7.1 Ultimate Tensile Force—The ultimate tensile force shall
be determined by Test Method D7205/D7205M, at a frequency
and number of specimens as indicated in Section 10. The
ultimate tensile force shall be in accordance with the limits
provided in Tables 1 and 2.
NOTE 3—The ultimate tensile force of a bar is synonymous with the
“maximum force prior to failure” of a bar tested according to Test Method
D7205/D7205M–06(2016). This quantity is referred to as Pmax in subsec-
tion 13.1 of Test Method D7205/D7205M. Once this specification is
published, Test Method D7205/D7205M will be updated to ensure that its
nomenclature and reported quantities are consistent with this specification.
This note will be removed once Test Method D7205/D7205M is updated.
7.2 Tensile Modulus of Elasticity—The tensile modulus of
elasticity shall be determined by Test Method D7205/D7205M,
at a frequency and number of specimens as indicated in Section
10. The tensile modulus of elasticity shall be in accordance
with the limits given in Tables 1 and 2.
7.3 Ultimate Tensile Strain—The ultimate tensile strain shall
be calculated by dividing the ultimate tensile force by the
product of the nominal cross-sectional area and the tensile
modulus of elasticity.3 The ultimate tensile strain shall be in
accordance with the limits given in Tables 1 and 2.
7.4 Transverse Shear Strength—The transverse shear
strength shall be determined by Test Method D7617/D7617M
at a frequency and number of specimens as indicated in Section
10. The transverse shear strength shall be in accordance with
the limit given in Table 1.
7.5 Bond Strength:
7.5.1 The bond strength shall be determined by Test Method
D7913/D7913M, at a frequency and number of specimens as
indicated in Section 10. The bond strength shall be in accor-
dance with the limit given in Table 1.
7.5.2 If a range of otherwise identically produced bar sizes
is offered, bond tests on either odd or even bar size designa-
tions covering the full range of produced bar sizes may be
used.
3
The calculation method is based upon the assumption that the stress-strain
behavior is linear elastic (straight line).
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8. Durability Properties
8.1 Moisture Absorption—Specimens shall be tested by Test
Method D570, subsection 7.4, at a frequency and number of
specimens as indicated in Section 10. The moisture absorption
shall be in accordance with the limits given in Tables 1 and 2.
8.2 Resistance to Alkaline Environment:
8.2.1 The resistance to alkaline environments is determined
by Test Method D7705/D7705M, at a frequency and number of
specimens as indicated in Section 10. The ultimate tensile force
after exposure to the alkaline environment shall be in accor-
dance with the limit given in Table 1.
8.2.2 If a range of otherwise identically produced bar sizes
is offered, alkaline resistance tests on either odd or even bar
size designations covering the full range of produced bar sizes
may be used.
9. Requirements for Bent Bars
9.1 Bend Diameter—Bends in bars shall be formed only
while the resin is in a physical liquid state. The geometric
properties for bent bars shall be as shown in Table 4.
9.2 Properties of Bends:
9.2.1 The ultimate tensile force of the bent portion of bars
shall be determined by Test Method D7914/D7914M, at a
frequency and number of specimens as indicated in Section 10.
The ultimate tensile force of the bent portion shall be in
accordance with the limit given in Table 1.
9.2.2 Ultimate Tensile Force and Tensile Modulus of Elas-
ticity of Straight Portion of Bent Bar:
9.2.2.1 When it is possible to extract a straight portion from
a bent bar of sufficient length, such an element shall be tested
in tension by Test Method D7205/D7205M, at a frequency and
number of specimens as indicated in Section 10. The ultimate
tensile force and tensile modulus of elasticity shall be in
accordance with the limits given in Table 2.
9.2.2.2 When the bend shape does not allow for tensile
testing of one of its straight portions, straight bars produced
under the same production lot conditions of the bent bar and of
sufficient length for tension testing shall be tested by Test
Method D7205/D7205M, at a frequency and number of speci-
mens as indicated in Section 10. The ultimate tensile force and
tensile modulus of elasticity shall be in accordance with the
limits given in Table 2.
10. Sampling
10.1 Product Qualification—For the determination of the
mean and guaranteed properties, at least 24 samples shall be
obtained in groups of eight or more from three or more
different production lots. The mean and guaranteed properties
shall satisfy the limits as given in Table 1.
NOTE 4—Manufacturers may use more than the minimum sampling
stated by this standard. The benefit of testing a larger number of specimens
when developing guaranteed and mean values is to increase the likelihood
of compliance in quality control and certification testing.
10.2 Quality Control and Certification—For the determina-
tion of each of the property limits, five random samples shall
be obtained from each production lot. Each individual sample
shall satisfy the property limits as given in Table 2.
 D7957/D7957M − 17
10.3 Tests for qualification shall be repeated if there is a
process or constituent material change.
10.4 Samples from each production lot to be used for
preparing test specimens shall be selected by the manufacturer
on a random basis.
11. Rejection
11.1 Material that fails to conform to the requirements of
this specification may be rejected. Rejection should be reported
to the producer or supplier promptly and in writing. In case of
dissatisfaction with the results of the test, the producer or
supplier may make claim for a rehearing.
11.2 For quality control and certification, if an individual
test result is not within the limits given in Table 2, that
production lot shall be rejected as not meeting this specifica-
tion.
12. Product Certification
12.1 When specified in the purchase order or contract, the
purchaser shall be furnished certification stating samples rep-
resenting each lot have been tested and inspected as indicated
in this specification and the requirements have been met. When
specified in the purchase order or contract, a report of the test
results shall be furnished. Test reports may be transmitted to
the purchaser by electronic services. The content of the
electronically transmitted document shall conform to any
existing agreement between the purchaser and the seller.
12.2 If the purchaser intends to perform additional or
independent certification testing, requirements thereof, such as
the need for additional test specimens, shall be provided to the
manufacturer.
12.3 The test report shall include the information listed in
the reporting sections of the test methods in Table 2, and shall
indicate the production lot, traceable through the identifying
markings on the bars.
13. Markings and Traceability
13.1 Straight bars shall each be indelibly marked, at regular
intervals along the length, spaced not more than 2 m [72 in.]
between intervals, with the following information:
13.1.1 ASTM specification number.
13.1.2 Manufacturer’s mark.
13.1.3 Size designation.
13.1.4 Production lot number.
13.2 Bent bars may include information noted in 13.1 by an
attached tag only and shall include the shape description.

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. MANUFACTURER’S BAR DESCRIPTION

X1.1 A manufacturer’s bar description is helpful for com- X1.3 For bent shapes, BRB(X)-(A)-(Y)-(Z), where BRB is
munications between the designer, procurement personnel, bar the manufacturer’s mark for a bent shape, X is the inch-pound
manufacturer, and job site inspectors. Examples are as follows: or SI bar size designation, A is the bend angle or shape code of
the bend from the main axis or shape description for a
X1.2 RB(X)-(Y), where RB is the manufacturer’s mark, X
compound bent shape, Y is the length of the first leg of the
is the inch-pound or SI bar size designation, and Y is the length
bend, Z is the length of the second leg of the bend, and so on.
of the bar in inches or centimeters. As an example, for an
RB3-240 bar in the inch-pound system, RB is the manufactur-
er’s mark, 3 is the bar size designation, and 240 is the bar
length in inches.

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